Ruff — Ruff, n. [Of uncertain origin: cf. Icel. r[umc]finn rough, uncombed, Pr. ruf rude, rough, Sp. rufo frizzed, crisp, curled, G. raufen to pluck, fight, rupfen to pluck, pull, E. rough. [root]18. Cf. {Ruffle} to wrinkle.] 1. A muslin or linen collar … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Ruff — Ruff, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Ruffed}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Ruffing}.] 1. To ruffle; to disorder. Spenser. [1913 Webster] 2. (Mil.) To beat with the ruff or ruffle, as a drum. [1913 Webster] 3. (Hawking) To hit, as the prey, without fixing it. [1913… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Ruff — Ruff, n. [F. ronfle; cf. It. ronfa, Pg. rufa, rifa.] (Card Playing) (a) A game similar to whist, and the predecessor of it. Nares. (b) The act of trumping, especially when one has no card of the suit led. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Ruff — Ruff, v. i. & t. (Card Playing) To trump. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Ruff — Ruff, Ruffe Ruffe, n. [OE. ruffe.] (Zo[ o]l.) A small freshwater European perch ({Acerina vulgaris}); called also {pope}, {blacktail}, and {stone perch}, or {striped perch}. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
ruff — ruff; wood·ruff; … English syllables
ruff — ► NOUN 1) a projecting starched frill worn round the neck, characteristic of Elizabethan and Jacobean costume. 2) a ring of feathers or hair round the neck of a bird or mammal. 3) (pl. same or ruffs) a wading bird, the male of which has a large… … English terms dictionary
ruff — ruff1 [ruf] n. [contr. of RUFFLE1, n.] 1. a high, frilled or pleated collar of starched muslin, lace, etc., worn by men and women in the 16th and 17th cent. 2. a band of distinctively colored or protruding feathers or fur about the neck of an… … English World dictionary
ruff — [rʌf] n [Date: 1500 1600; Origin: Probably from RUFFLE1] 1.) a stiff circular white collar, worn in the 16th century 2.) a circle of feathers or fur around the neck of an animal or bird … Dictionary of contemporary English
ruff — [ rʌf ] noun count 1. ) the fur or feathers that grow around the neck of an animal or bird 2. ) a large collar with upright folds that people wore in the 16th and 17th centuries … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
